Atiku: Makarfi speaks on return of ex-Vice President to PDP

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on Tuesday visited the headquarters of the Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) in Abuja where he met with the chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Sen. "We are actually expecting him by noon tomorrow", he said.

"I want to assure you of my support and cooperation at all times, to make sure that these objectives are achieved by you and subsequently by your successors".

Promising to join the leadership in reforming and rebranding the PDP, Atiku also said he plans to convince former members to return to the party.

"Nigerians should note one very interesting thing in the politics of Nigeria today; in the past, it used to be that people decamp or leave the party that has lost election or that is in opposition to the party that is ruling".

"The type of national executive elected by PDP on Saturday will make or mar the party's progress and its ambition to reclaim power at the centre in 2019. That is what PDP must stand for if it has to survive", he added.

He assured that they did PDP would be a reformed party that would give everybody level playing field. Because we still remain the only true Democratic Party in the true sense of the word.

"We thank you for coming before the convention so that you can contribute to what we have started going forward".

In a statement issued by Mr. Dayo Adeyeye, National Publicity Secretary of its National Caretaker Committee, the party described the return of Abubakar as "welcome development".

He, thereafter, led him to the office of the National Chairman, Ahmed Makarfi where a short closed door meeting was held before he was taken to the NEC hall where he was received by an overflowing crowd of supporters.

Makarfi, in his remarks, said that Atiku's return would open the floodgates for more high profile returnees and new entrants into the PDP.

"We are glad he has returned to the party which gave him the opportunity to vie for positions both as a governor and as a vice-president".